So I'm thinking about buying an Ampeg BA112

Sharkie · #1 04-30-2011, 11:41 AM

Any thoughts on this? It will be my second amp after a Peavy practice amp. I'm going to college next year (Jazz Studies minor, woo!) and I want something that can give me some presence while playing with say a loud drummer either in a practice or small gig, do you think this is going to be capable of that?

I tested it out at a Sam Ash and the tone is great, but yeah do you think this is good for what I need it for?

wvbass · #2 04-30-2011, 11:55 AM

Absolutely not. I have one, and love it, but it is NOT loud enough to use with a drummer. Pretty much for personal practice only.

RickenBoogie · #3 04-30-2011, 01:14 PM

+1 I also own one, and love it too, but would never expect it to "cut it" in any situation involving a live drummer.

Buster Brown · #4 04-30-2011, 02:59 PM

+1 as well.......

I had one for a couple of years that I took on the road to practice with.

It's a fine little practice amp, but that's where it ends. Not loud enough for most applications...

JimmyM · #5 04-30-2011, 03:00 PM

word. would love to have one, but don't expect it to hang in a band setting.

seungkoo · #6 04-30-2011, 03:15 PM

I would look into gettin an used b100r

Sharkie · #7 04-30-2011, 03:21 PM

So what do you guys think is the best amp around that price for jamming with a band?

Also I already ordered it but when it comes I'll see if it can compete with my drummer. I have 45 days to return it so yeah.

JimmyM · #8 04-30-2011, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharkie

So what do you guys think is the best amp around that price for jamming with a band?

Also I already ordered it but when it comes I'll see if it can compete with my drummer. I have 45 days to return it so yeah.

ba-115. not the loudest amp either, but will hang with a drummer under most circumstances. don't get me wrong...i think tonally, the ba112 is an extreme value for the money, but it's meant to be either a practice amp or a light duty amp. like i would use it on a lounge gig with an upright and a drummer playing softly.

Turock · #9 04-30-2011, 03:37 PM

I have a BA112, will not cut it with a drummer. Also have a B100R that will hang with a full band.

Sharkie · #10 04-30-2011, 03:39 PM

Noob question, just curious, if I lined out the 112 to my current practice amp (Peavy Max 158. 15 watts 8 inch speaker) so that both would be playing, would that boost the volume in any significant way? I really just don't have the funds for a BA115. And I have no idea where to find one of these B100R's, not like I can afford that either.

seungkoo · #11 04-30-2011, 03:47 PM

a used ba115 goes for around 200-250 if you search your local craigslist. I got them for about $125 locally before

JimmyM · #12 04-30-2011, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharkie

Noob question, just curious if I lined out the 112 to my current practice amp (Peavy Max 158. 15 watts 8 inch speaker) so that both would be playing, would that boost the volume in any significant way? I really just don't have the funds for a BA115. And I have no idea where to find one of these B100R's.

it will get a little louder but not significantly. try it when you get it and see what you think. worst that happens is it won't work for you.

the b100r was discontinued a year and a half ago because even though it was better than the ba115, the ba115 was $200 cheaper so most people got one of them instead. but if you can get one used, they are excellent and shouldn't be more than a new ba115. ampeg has the new portaflex combos as well, and they are fantastic, but they sound out of your price range at $700 and $800 for a full setup with head and cab.

username1 · #13 04-30-2011, 04:30 PM

I used my ba112 last night at a smaller job and realized the problem with them is the input gain is weak. I had to turn it up to 10 to get the volume but it wasnt even close to distorting. I then added my VT pedal to it to get more gain and I had more volume than i needed with incredible tone only running the volume on 4. This was playing with guitarist keyboard player rhythm guitarist and a drummer that hits hard. I was impressed.

Buster Brown · #14 04-30-2011, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

ba-115. not the loudest amp either, but will hang with a drummer under most circumstances. don't get me wrong...i think tonally, the ba112 is an extreme value for the money, but it's meant to be either a practice amp or a light duty amp. like i would use it on a lounge gig with an upright and a drummer playing softly.

.....And, here's one fairly cheap.....*model sold separately!

Ampeg BA-115 Bass Combo | eBay

JimmyM · #15 04-30-2011, 05:06 PM

what amp?

Sharkie · #16 04-30-2011, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by username1

I used my ba112 last night at a smaller job and realized the problem with them is the input gain is weak. I had to turn it up to 10 to get the volume but it wasnt even close to distorting. I then added my VT pedal to it to get more gain and I had more volume than i needed with incredible tone only running the volume on 4. This was playing with guitarist keyboard player rhythm guitarist and a drummer that hits hard. I was impressed.

My bass DOES have an active preamp...

AMp'D.2play · #17 04-30-2011, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buster Brown

.....And, here's one fairly cheap.....*model sold separately!

I wonder if the price reflects the fact that the knobs are crooked?!

Sharkie · #18 05-09-2011, 07:49 PM

So imma go ahead and bump this, I got the amp in the mail and today I jammed with a drummer and a guitarist using a 120W 2x10" amp at unknown volume. I had my amp turned to like 7-8 with the EQ flat at 12 o' clock. I was able to hear myself just fine, sure the drummer was pretty loud but I was absolutely able to hear myself and I still could have made the thing louder.

I think my highs may have got a bit lost but the low end REALLY held its own. I think i'll keep this amp, I can't use it for gigs probably, but for jam sessions at college it'll be just fine, and it's small enough that it's still somewhat portable. I think a 15" would be too heavy and big to carry well.

nutricous · #19 05-09-2011, 07:52 PM

I just sold my BA-115hp with 220 watts for around $300. Look locally it has decent tone for the price. Loud enough to keep up with a drummer for practice purposes. If you try one out that has occasional crackle, haggle the price down. The crackle originates from a pot metal washer holding down the grounding cable in the amp. It's a cheap 2 dollar 5 minute fix!

Gearhead17 · #20 05-09-2011, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharkie

So imma go ahead and bump this, I got the amp in the mail and today I jammed with a drummer and a guitarist using a 120W 2x10" amp at unknown volume. I had my amp turned to like 7-8 with the EQ flat at 12 o' clock. I was able to hear myself just fine, sure the drummer was pretty loud but I was absolutely able to hear myself and I still could have made the thing louder.

I think my highs may have got a bit lost but the low end REALLY held its own. I think i'll keep this amp, I can't use it for gigs probably, but for jam sessions at college it'll be just fine, and it's small enough that it's still somewhat portable. I think a 15" would be too heavy and big to carry well.

You have two of the quietest musicians I have ever heard of. I own the same amp and I would NEVER bring it to band practice. I would get laughed at. The other flip side here is the room you are playing in is somehow conducive to getting the majority of the bass tone audible. I believe you were successful, but I do not think the BA112 is good for anything louder than what you are currently involved in.

In the end though, it works, so enjoy it!